News Article

JUNO 2011 Week begins and JUNO 2010 Legacy announced


3/24/2011 3:03:16 PM


As the JUNO 2011 40th anniversary celebrations in Toronto, Ontario take place this week (JUNO Awards Broadcast on Sunday, March 27, 2011), the Legacy program from JUNO 2010 in St. John’s was announced today.

A total of $85,000 in funding will be provided to educational initiatives of College of the North Atlantic ($40,000), Memorial University of Newfoundland ($20,000), and music industry related curriculum development in the K-12 system ($25,000) as a direct result of the JUNO 2010 events held in Newfoundland and Labrador last year.

“After wrapping up from JUNO 2010, the Ruckus on the Edge team was thrilled that we could jointly combine our proceeds with the generous support of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and MusiCounts to leave behind these gifts to benefit music-related education in our province, and we wish CARAS best wishes with JUNO 2011 in Toronto,” said Ken Marshall, chair of the 2010 JUNO Awards Host Committee.

Melanie Berry, President and CEO of CARAS and MusiCounts added, “JUNO 2011 is well underway and proves to be a celebration of Canada’s rich musical industry, and we are all certainly proud of the show St. John’s put on last year. The recipients of this Legacy program underscore our goal and belief that the JUNO Awards benefit coast to coast, year in and year out. We were delighted to be able to play a key part in this Legacy initiative.”

The Legacy program funds will be used by the recipient groups for multi-year scholarships for College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University. In the K-12 system, curriculum development is well underway, as many JUNO Award winning artist interviews have been woven into distance learning applications.

“Newfoundland and Labrador's talented musicians are recognized throughout Canada, and last year's JUNO events helped showcase our rich and diverse musical culture to national and international audiences," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. “That culture has been further developed, fostered and nurtured, in part, because of the value that has been placed on music education in our schools. The funding provided through the 2010 JUNO Legacy Program will complement specific Provincial Government programs, such as our Cultural Connections strategy, and enhance music education in our K-12 curriculum; fund postsecondary scholarships, and assist our students in their studies and in their future careers."

"The outstanding celebrations and musical performances of JUNO 2010 provided an outstanding opportunity for College of the North Atlantic students to showcase their talent and gain invaluable experience in their field of study. We are delighted that the organizing committee is recognizing College of the North Atlantic through establishing this legacy fund. This investment in our students represents a wonderful connection between our programs and the music industry in NL," added Corinne Dunne, Vice President, Development and College Advancement, College of the North Atlantic.

Dr. Ellen Waterman, Director of the School of Music at Memorial added, “The School of Music is dedicated to excellence in music, a mission that the JUNO legacy will significantly enhance. Our programs attract students with serious career ambitions who know what sheer hard work it takes to achieve the level of recognition symbolized by the JUNOs. The JUNO legacy will fundamentally support that passion and drive.”

The 2010 JUNO Awards were held April 12-18, 2010 in St. John’s, with significant economic, cultural and tourism benefits resulting for the City of St. John’s and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Legacy Program represents the capstone of the direct benefit from JUNO 2010, and will continue into the future.

“Newfoundland and Labrador artists, The City of St. John’s, and the entire province gained a great deal of exposure during 2010 JUNO week activities,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “Through the Legacy program, the future generation of musicians in this province will have the opportunity to learn about the music industry and its impact on Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Marshall added, “The Legacy Program was a result of the public getting out and enjoying the JUNO experience, and would not have been possible without them, our tremendous corporate partnerships, and the support of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, City of St. John’s, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)……and of course CARAS and MusiCounts.”

About CARAS:
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L’academie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l’enregistrement is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards.

For more information on the 40th Annual JUNO Awards or the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ (CARAS) website please visit www.junoawards.ca or www.carasonline.ca.

-30-


For further information contact:


Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-7938
roger.hulan@cna.nl.ca

Ken Marshall
Chair, 2010 JUNO Awards Host Committee
(709) 351-4429
ken.marshall@rci.rogers.com

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca